The nation's controversial policy to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves around the globe. Lawmakers, safety advocates, and guardians are observing with great interest to see if this strategy will inspire imitation for countries abroad.
The European Movement
Across Europe, a growing group of countries are exploring parallel measures.
- Denmark has announced a prohibition on social media for youth below 15, with the leader stating that smartphones and platforms are "taking away our youngsters' innocence". The policy is expected to be passed soon.
- Norway is preparing to enforce a access barrier of 15, pointing to the need to safeguard children from the "manipulative force of the AI".
- Ireland is developing a online verification tool to authenticate the identity and age of social media participants. Officials have indicated that an Australia-style ban is "an measures in reserve".
- In The Spanish government, the leader has urged the legislature to enact a proposal raising the legal age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the head of state has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has endorsed a comparable move, potentially involving an overnight "screen time restriction" for older teenagers.
- The administration in The Dutch government has urged parents to prevent their kids from social media before 15.
For the broader EU, the European parliament has adopted a symbolic motion calling for a ban for minors unless guardian approval is given. Although it warns of the "addictive" nature of these services, the move does not enact mandatory rules.
"A clear age barrier is a good starting point," said the MEP driving the initiative.
The United Kingdom: A Cautious Approach
Across Britain, the government has kept open a possible ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but stressing any decision must be "supported by conclusive evidence".
Previously, interest built behind a legislative effort to impose restrictions on social media use by under-16s, but it was in the end modified. Instead, the government vowed to investigate the matter.
Charities have raised warnings. An organization established by the relatives of a girl who died after viewing harmful platform posts contends that a simple age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "cliff edge" of harm when young people reach the legal age.
"The Australian ban is a response to the refusal of the tech sector to create products and services that are safe and suitable for children," said a prominent child protection advocate.
The US: A State-by-State Approach
Stateside, regulation is mostly happening at the regional level due to national gridlock.
- Utah demands parental consent for under-18s to use social media and limits nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a measure barring under-14s from joining social media, though it faces constitutional disputes.
- Virginia has enacted a regulation capping minors to one hour of social media access per day, with any further access requiring a guardian's okay.
- Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana have similarly passed laws demanding parental consent for under-16s to set up social media presences.
Even with cross-party agreement and proposals from certain politicians to follow Australia's example, a US-wide ban is currently seen as improbable.
International Views
Beyond these regions, further countries are similarly considering moves.
- The Malaysian government plans to restrict social media for under-16s beginning next year.
- Brazil has raised the access age for one major platform to 16.
However, world agencies strike a more measured tone. The UN children's agency has warned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even have unintended consequences". The organization points out that social networks can be a "vital connection" for marginalized children and that bans should not be a "excuse" for tech companies to invest in user protection.
Even as this international debate evolves, the actions of this nation and several other countries show that states around the world are no longer prepared to delay for the industry to make changes on their own.
